Historical Documents and Artifacts:

Sir George Felbrigg (Click on image to view larger version) This brass rubbing is of Sir George Felbrigg who was one of the household esquires and knights of Edward II. Sir George was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Suffolk (county) in 1389. He was also one of the Commissioners of Array to review the local militia. After Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, was exiled in 1398, Sir George was named as one of the council to administer his affairs. In 1399, Henry IV became King and Sir George Felbrigg was confirmed the annuities from the Crown previously granted to him by Richard II. In his will he asked to be buried in the Church of Blessed Mary at Playford. His brass, found in the church at Playford, shows him standing upon a lion. His armour is of the Camail and Jupon Period. His sword belt is the fashionable type, with the hinged decorated plates, scabbards of both sword and dagger richly worked with Gothic tabernacles in relief.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" H. Philbrick's Scrapbook A unique artifact of our Family history has been acquired recently with the purchase of an old scrapbook that belonged to Elizabeth "Lizzie" H. Philbrick of Skowhegan, Maine. She was the daughter of Joseph Philbrick (see page 83 of Jacob Chapman's book) and Paulina Harding. The eight inch by six and half inch lined notebook appears to have been originally used as a ledger. In the back of the book and upside down is a ledger with names, but the page is glued together. It is our theory that Lizzie took the book and began her scrap book from the back (now the front) and glued the several "used" pages together. (Click on image to see larger version) The scrapbook contains about 50 pages of various newspaper clippings and concert programs. She was an accomplished pianist, based on the reviews in the newspaper clippings. The first advertisement is for a concert at Williams' Hall (Skowhegan?) on May 16th and 17th, 1860. Both she and her sister, Pauline Philbrick, are listed as performing. The next ad in the scrapbook is for a concert to raise money for clothing for the volunteer soldiers of Skowhegan at the beginning of the Civil War. The concert was to be preformed on May 6, (1861?). Again she and her sister were to perform with several others during the concert. Various other concerts are advertised through 1865, all headlined by "Miss E. H. Philbrick." In 1865, one concert is headlined by "Mrs. E.H. Staples, and Miss Philbrick." Mrs. E.H. Staples apparently is the first wife of Ezra Staples, future husband of Lizzie. In the program, all three are listed. What happened to Ezra's first wife is unknown. The next concert advertisement doesn't appear until 1878, where we find Mrs. L.H. Staples (Lizzie Philbrick-Staples) as one of the organizers and performers. (Click on image to see larger version) In the back of the scrapbook is a death notice: "Skowhegan March 22d, Maurice, infant son, only child of Ezra and Elisabeth Staples, aged about five years." Though no date is listed, Michael Philbrook (PPFA Historian) lists their child "Edward" as "died 1870." We believe that Maurice and Edward are the same person. Also in the scrapbook are two obituaries on Lizzie's father, Joseph Philbrick: "Capt. Joseph Philbrick of this village died Oct. 13 aged seventy-seven years and nine months. Capt. P. a gentleman very well known in Skowhegan as an upright and earnest man. He was born in Exeter N.H., in 1797, and moved to Skowhegan thirty or forty years ago, where he has since lived. He has once or twice served his town and county in both branches of the State Legislature, and was for some time sheriff of the county. He was for many years a very active and earnest member of the Free Masons and was Master of Somerset Lodge for ten years; he was also Secretary of the same lodge for ten years. His funeral takes place to-day, Thursday, and his remains will be borne to their last resting place by his brethren in the order he loved so well." The rest of the scrapbook has dozens of newspaper clippings of poems about being a wife, having a good family, love, motherhood, sorrow and hardship. It probably reflects many of her thoughts and feelings during her life. A final newspaper clipping, loose in the book, is a wedding announcement stating she married Rev. W.W. Welsh of Colorado and that she (Lizzie H. Staples) "for many years has resided in Denver" since moving from Maine. This may have taken place in December, because on the back of the newspaper clipping is wording about Santa Claus, possibly an advertisement.

P.P.F.A. Adds Membership Promoter Frank Rose recently answered the call for a volunteer and has joined the P.P.F.A. Council as Membership Promoter. Frank will be promoting membership in the P.P.F.A. by contacting websites that carry genealogical information on the Family and requesting that they post a link to our website. Frank will also assist the P.P.F.A. in an advisory role on Association issues. We welcome Frank to this new position and appreciate his help. Frank is a descendant of Benjamin Woodbury Philbrook and Elizabeth W. Maddocks of Maine.